To Mothers, Present and Yet to Come – Sunday, May 14, 1944
It would be difficult on Mother’s Day to say anything new concerning mothers, or even to say anything old in a new way, so numerous and eloquent have been the tributes written and spoken of them in all past years. But this year the Channels of thought are burdened with urgent messages of love and appreciation for mothers the world over from sons in far places. For these young men, who would say it for themselves if they were here, may we assume the role of spokesman and convey their love and their gratitude to those millions of mothers whom they cherish in their hearts, and whom they dwell upon in their thoughts on this day.
All glory be to the mothers who have done their work well. And now may we use the seconds remaining to say for those who are away defending home and country what we think might be their message to the mothers whose work still lies before them—a message freighted with truth and urgency: The politics of the world run in cycles. The great men of earth come and go. The fortunes of war change—but the influence of motherhood is constant. Every generation is shaped by their thinking. The kingdom of motherhood is one of the last to be invaded—and throughout all generations has strongly withstood those who would intrude upon it. Its jurisdiction no public agency has ever taken over with continuing success. That’s why we must look with critical reservation upon any tendency toward making inroads upon the home. If we are to keep faith with our children, we must, while ours is still the primary influence in their lives, counsel with wise and understanding hearts, exhort, and discipline in ways of sound living. War would not be possible; evil could not gain hold upon the hearts of men; the social structure of nations could not disintegrate; the spiritual hopes and ideals of the world could not be thrown down and trampled upon, if every mother were to give to the career of motherhood all that is implied and expected in this, the greatest mission that God ever gave to any woman—a mission which, being well done, no joy can equal.
A home where the great spiritual truths and fundamental virtues, where self-imposed courtesy and consideration for the rights of others, have been instilled into the hearts of children, cannot be the incubator of false ideas and ideals which permit men to go wrong and upset the world in every generation. This thought the mothers of all nations and peoples, present and yet to come, will do well to ponder: We are fighting a war to make the world safe for those things which the mothers of the world could make safe for us without war, if they will.
By Richard L. Evans, spoken from the Tabernacle, Temple Square, Salt Lake City, Sunday, May 14, 1944, over Radio Station KSL and the nationwide Columbia Broadcasting System. Copyright – 1944.
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May 14, 1944
Broadcast Number 0,769